New Ideas Concerning Arts and Social Studies Vol. 8

Public transport services are essential for people who cannot drive or do not have access to a private vehicle, including children, persons with disabilities and older adults. Transport also supports the economic and social functioning of cities. However, poor road maintenance, weak enforcement and unsafe road-user behaviour contribute to crashes, deaths, injuries, damage to goods and business losses. This study sought to ascertain trends in road-safety policies, investigate trends in crashes and deaths associated with unsafe roads in Kampala, examine perceived causes of fatalities, health problems and road crashes, and identify mitigation measures. A descriptive mixed-methods design combined desk research with a field survey using a five-point Likert scale. The target population comprised 120 Kampala City Council staff, pedestrians, motorcycle riders and vehicle drivers, from whom 92 respondents were selected through random sampling. The findings indicated that road-safety policies existed but were perceived as inadequately implemented. Respondents associated the continuing burden of crashes and fatalities with weak enforcement, poor road-user behaviour, inadequate road maintenance, congestion, corruption and mechanically unfit vehicles. Vehicle emissions, dust, particulate matter, heat and noise were also identified as transport-related health concerns. Proposed measures included stronger enforcement, road-user sensitisation, improved road construction and maintenance, appropriate signs and traffic signals, removal of mechanically unfit vehicles and mobilisation of funds for road-network expansion. The study concludes that coordinated action by government agencies, transport operators and road users is required to reduce road fatalities and protect public health.